It was already midday when they finally stirred.
Sunlight filtered lazily through the thin curtains, casting dappled golden light across the sheets. Aurelya lay curled beside him, her bare skin half-covered by the tangled blanket, clinging to his right arm like a sleepy kitten. Her breath was soft, steady, her golden hair fanned across his chest.
Then her lashes fluttered. Her eyes blinked open, molten gold meeting icy blue.
"Morning, sleeping beauty," Lumberling said, a lopsided grin tugging at his lips. "Sleep well?"
Aurelya squinted, shifted, and let out a low groan. "My body's stiff," she muttered, her tone dry and accusing. "And you're a monster."
"I am," he admitted shamelessly, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "But I'm more surprised that you were the insatiable one."
Her cheeks flared. "Tch. I was not." She pulled the sheet up over her chest in faux modesty. "You were like… some kind of beast on heat."
